The inhibitory effects of Boswellia serrata (BW) extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis were investigated in primary-cultured rat cartilage cells and a monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. To identify the protective effects of BW extract against (, 2 hr) in vitro, cell survival was measured by MTT assay. Cell survival after treatment was elevated by BW extract at a concentration of . In addition, BW extract treatment significantly reduced and normalized the productions of pro-inflammatory factors, nuclear transcription factor , cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-, and interleukin-6 at a concentration of . Treatment of chondrocytes with BW extract significantly reduced 5-lipoxygenase activity and production of prostaglandin E2, especially at a concentration of . For the in vivo animal study, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into knee joints of rats. Consumption of a diet containing BW extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 35 days significantly inhibited the development and severity of osteoarthritis in rats. To determine the genetic expression of arthritic factors in articular cartilage, real-time PCR was applied to measure matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13), collagen type I, collagen type II, and aggrecan, and BW extract had protective effects at a concentration of 200 mg/kg. In conclusion, BW extract was able to inhibit articular cartilage degeneration by preventing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte injury. One can consider that BW extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for degenerative osteoarthritis.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb. (PJT) powder on lipid metabolism and antioxidative activity in rats fed a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups: normal diet group (N), high-fat/high-cholesterol group (HFC), high-fat/highcholesterol with 5% PJT powder (HFC-PBL), and high-fat/high-cholesterol with 10% PJT powder (HFC-PBH). Body weight gain and food efficiency ratio (FER) increased in the HFC group, whereas they gradually decreased in the PJT powder-fed groups. Food intake was not significantly different between the experimental groups. Liver and adipose tissue weights of the HFC group were heavier than that of the N group, whereas the groups fed PJT powder showed gradual reduction of tissue weights. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity significantly decreased after PJT powder administration. Serum triglyceride level significantly decreased in groups fed PJT powder compared to the HFC group. The serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) level of the HFC group increased by 73.70% than that of the N group, whereas serum high density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) tended to decrease in groups fed PJT powder compared to the HFC group. Levels of triglycerides in epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissues, as well as cholesterol levels in liver and adipose tissues were lower in the groups fed 10% PJT powder compared to the HFC group. The liver glutathione (GSH) level increased in the groups fed PJT powder compare to the HFC group. The liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content significantly decreased in the groups fed PJT powder compared to the HFC group. These results suggest that PJT powder may improve lipid metabolism in the serum, liver, and adipose tissue and prevent oxidative stress by stimulating antioxidative systems in rats fed a high fat-high cholesterol diet.

Physiological properties of Sarcodon aspratus extracts were investigated. Yields of water, 30, 60, and 90% ethanolic extracts were 52.10, 46.90, 41.50, and 32.20%, respectively. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of 60% ethanolic extract was 40.40% at a concentration of 4 mg/mL, which was highest of all the extracts. The polyphenol content of 60% ethanolic extract was the highest at 16.23 mg/g at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Superoxide anion radical scavenging activities were 56.30~77.05% at concentrations of 1, 2, and 4 mg/mL, which were better than the ascorbic acid activity (56.19% at 10 mg/mL) (P<0.05). Nitrite-scavenging ability was the most effective in 30% ethanolic extract. A pH level of 3.0 was the most effective for all extracts. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activities of Sarcodon aspratus extracts were from 52.67 to 89.52%.

To investigate the anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects of Opuntia humifusa cladodes, O. humifusa cladodes powder was extracted with 75% ethanol and fractionated with various solvents. Among the extracts fractionated with various solvents, -amylase and -glucosidase inhibitory activities of O. humifusa cladodes were highest ( and , respectively) in the ethyl acetate fraction. Further, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the ethyl acetate fraction were the highest ( and , respectively). DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities increased according to the concentration of O. humifusa cladodes extract, and those of the ethyl acetate fraction were the highest. Ferric reducing antioxidant powers of chloroform and the ethyl acetate fraction were higher than those of other fractions. Overall, the ethyl acetate fraction of O. humifusa cladodes showed the highest anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects. Results indicate that O. humifusa cladodes powder has potential as a useful ingredient with anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects.

This study was conducted to determine the optimal roasting temperature (90, 100, 110, and 120; fixed time of 20 minutes) of small black coffee beans under various roasting conditions. The roasting temperature range and fixed time were the same as our preceding study. After roasting, the general composition, isoflavone contents, and antioxidant activities were measured. As the results of the proximate composition analysis of small black beans according to roasting conditions, only moisture decreased among them, whereas other general compositions were not affected. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were the highest at a roasting temperature of . Total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents were also highest at . Isoflavone contents showed a positive correlation with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, as well as total phenol and flavonoid contents. These results suggest that the optimal roasting conditions of small black beans were determined to be for 20 minutes.

This study was carried out to discriminate the effects of the ramie leaf according to the drying methods (hot air drying and freeze drying) on antioxidative activity in vitro and antiproliferation in human cancer cells. There were no significant differences in total polyphenol content of ramie leaf ethanol extracts depending on the drying methods, but total flavonoid content was significantly higher in hot air dried ramie leaf (HR) than in freeze dried ramie leaf (FR). The DPPH radical scavenging activity of HR and FR ethanol extracts were found to be 77.74%, and 77.29% in 1000 ppm, respectively. Antioxidative index of HR and FR ethanol extracts measured by Rancimat were lower than those in BHT, BHA, and ascorbic acid, but were higher than that in control. The antiproliferation effect of 80% ethanol extracts of HR and FR on liver cancer cell line (H460), stomach cancer cell line (AGS), and lung cancer cell line (A549) were increased with a dose-dependent manner. The cancer cell growth inhibition activities of HR and FR ethanol extracts at the concentration of showed greater than 80% on Hep G2 and A549 cell line, and greater than 75% on AGS cell line. These results suggest that HR and FR ethanol extracts possess potential antioxidative effect and antiproliferation in human cancer cells, and those activities of ramie leaf ethanol extracts depending on the drying methods were similar.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of mulberry powder on the antioxidant activities and quality characteristics of yogurt. The samples were fermented with different amounts (0, 0.5, 1, and 3% to the yogurt quantity) of mulberry powder for 24 hr. The total phenol content, anthocyanin content, and DPPH radical scavenging activity of yogurt significantly increased with higher mulberry powder content. The pH decreased with higher mulberry powder content until 16 hr, whereas the treated groups showed higher pH levels than the control group after 20 hr. Acidities of the treated groups were higher than that of the control group upon addition of mulberry powder. Citric acid, succinic acid, and lactic acid contents of the treatment group were higher than that of the control until 16 hr, whereas the free organic acid content of the control group increased after 20 hr. The amount of lactic acid bacteria increased with higher mulberry powder content until 12 hr, whereas that of the treated group tended to decrease compared to the control group after 16 hr. Color values of mulberry yogurt were lower in terms of brightness and yellowness, whereas redness value was higher compared to the control. Mulberry yogurt groups showed higher sensory attributes than the control, except for 3% added yogurt. Consumer acceptability score of yogurt with 1% mulberry powder was ranked higher than those of other yogurts in terms of overall preference, sourness, color, flavor, and sweetness. We suggest that mulberry powder can be used to improve the quality characteristics, functionality, fermentation, and sensory evaluation of yogurt.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chestnut inner shell powder on antioxidant activities and quality characteristics of pork patties. Patties were prepared with different amounts of chestnut inner shell powder (0, 1, 3, and 5% of pork quantity). The total phenol contents and DPPH free radical scavenging activities of the patties significantly increased with increasing amount of chestnut inner shell powder. The moisture content and pH of row patties were not significantly different between the control group and treatment groups. The cooking loss rate significantly decreased with increasing chestnut inner shell powder amount. Reduction ratio of the diameter of experimental patties was lower than that of the control patties, although it was not significant. As the content of chestnut inner shell powder increased, L-value decreased while a-value increased in both row patties and cooked patties. However, b-value changed upon heating. The b-value of row patties also increased with increasing chestnut inner shell powder content, whereas the b-value of cooked patties decreased. The hardness, chewiness, gumminess, and cohesiveness of the control group were lower than those of the treatment group. The consumer acceptability score for patties with 1% chestnut inner shell powder was higher than that for patties in terms of overall preference, appearance, color, and texture. Further, overall preference, appearance, and color for patties with chestnut inner shell powder 3% were higher than those of the control group. We suggest that chestnut inner shell can be improve the quality characteristics and consumer acceptability of pork patties, as well as the development of health-oriented meat products.

In order to develop a skin-whitening agent, melanin contents and intracellular tyrosinase activity were determined by western blotting. Ethyl acetate fractions of 80% ethanol extracts from lily (Lilium Oriental Hybrid `Siberia`) bulbs (R-EA) inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner in -melanocyte stimulating hormone (-MSH)-treated B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. Intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin contents were suppressed by 45% and 74%, respectively, in response to treatment with of R-EA. Examination of protein expression associated with -MSH-induced melanogenesis showed that tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1 was inhibited more strongly than tyrosinase, and these results were correlated with stronger inhibition of melanin synthesis than intracellular tyrosinase activity. Taken together, R-EA containing p-coumaric acid and resveratrol could be used as a hypopigmentation agent through suppression of sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation via melanogenic induction.

In order to characterize the quality of Doenjang, fermented Korean soybean paste, subjected to long-term aging, this study performed physico-chemical analyses and sensory evaluation according to aging period (from 1 to 9 years). Regarding the proximate composition of Doenjang according to aging period, moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, crude ash, and salt contents showed little differences among Doenjang samples. Amino-type nitrogen content was 1,046.7 mg% in the 1 year-aged sample, 990.9~996.9 mg% in the 2~5 year-aged samples, and 1,214.1~1,304.8 mg% in the samples fermented more than 5 years. E value, reflecting total color differences between the samples, increased according to aging period. Ratios of linoleic and linolenic acids, which are essential fatty acids in soybeans, constituted 55% of total fatty acids, which was the most abundant among all fatty acids. The major free sugar in Doenjang was fructose at a content of 1.6~2.2% in 1~9 year-aged Doenjang. Glycoside form of isoflavones in Meju constituted 77.1%, and the aglycon form constituted 22.9%. However, the glycoside type of isoflavones in soybeans was converted to aglycon type in Doenjang through fermentation and aging. In the sensory evaluation of Doenjang samples, brown color, salt smell, soy sauce flavor, and viscosity all increased according to aging period, whereas sweet flavor, roast smell, beany flavor, salty taste, and acrid taste showed no significant differences. In cluster analysis of the sensory attributes of Doenjang according to aging period, 1 year-aged Doenjang was significantly different between 2 year- and 3~5 year-aged Doenjang.

The antioxidant activity and sensory quality of Yanggaeng added with paprika (juice or paste) were investigated. Paprika juice (PJ) or paste (PP) mixed with water at ratios of 0:10 (control), 2:8 (1), 4:6 (2), 6:4 (3), 8:2 (4), and 10:0 (5) were used as ingredients for Yanggaeng. The pH levels of Yanggaeng added with PJ and PP were lower than that of control, and it decreased with increasing PJ or PP contents. Lightness values of PJ and PP Yanggaeng were lower than that of control. Redness and yellowness of PP Yanggaeng was higher than those of PJ Yanggaeng. Hardness, springiness, and cohesiveness were the highest in control and decreased with the amount of PJ or PP. Total polyphenol contents and DPPH radical scavenging activity of PP5 Yanggaeng were the highest. Sensory evaluation showed that color, taste, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability of PJ and PP Yanggaeng were higher than those of control. PJ4 Yanggaeng showed the highest taste (4.46) and overall acceptability (4.23) values, respectively. Sensory quality of PP1 Yanggaeng showed the highest levels of color, taste, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability among PP Yanggaeng.

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have been widely used in the food industry as viscofying, stabilizing, and emulsifying agents as well as in the pharmaceutical industry for their immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory effects. A total of 458 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from several kinds of soybean pastes were screened for the production of homo-EPS (HoPS). LAB isolates were primarily screened using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and further screened polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting genes involved in HoPS production. Six LAB isolates producing high amounts of HoPS were identified by TLC. Among these isolates, glucansucrase gene was amplified in two strains (JSA57, JSB22), whereas the fructansucrase gene was detected in three strains (JSA57, JSB22, JSB66). After isolating the strains, their morphological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequences were determined. Six species were identified as L. alimentarius HSB15, L. plantarum JSA22, L. pentosus JSA57, L. brevis JSB22, L. alimentarius JSB66, and L. parabrevis JSB89. To evaluate the potential probiotic properties of these LAB, their survival rates against a simulated intestinal environment were determined. After 2 hr of incubation in artificial gastric juice, survival rates of JSA57, JSB90, JSB22, and JSB66 were all greater than 50%. After 2 hr of incubation in bile juice, viable cell count of JSB22 was similar with initial vial cell counts. Growth of the six LAB was screened in arabino-oligosaccharide (AOS)-containing MRS broth. Results showed that growth of the isolates selectively increased after culture in AOS-containing media. Strain JSB22 (6 hr), JSB66 (6 hr), HSB15 (20 hr), and JSA22 (29 hr) showed maximum growth rate. Especially, JSB22 showed the highest growth rate. These results suggest that EPS-producing LAB isolated from Deonjang could be applied as synbiotics.

This study evaluated the quality characteristics of soybean fermented with several Bacillus sp., which were selected based on their high enzymatic and antimicrobial activities. Total aerobic bacterial counts of fermented soybeans with HJ5-2 () were the highest among all strains. Lactic acid bacteria numbered in soybeans fermented with isolates. Amylase and protease activities of the RD7-7 sample were the highest among all strains. Reducing sugar and amino-type nitrogen contents of fermented soybeans with HJ18-4 (2.35%) and RD7-7 (227.96 mg%) were the highest. Total amino acid contents of the samples were 16.62~18.38%, and glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine, lysine, arginine were major amino acids. Oxalic acid (36.51~63.57 mg/100 g) and succinic acid (429.49~600.15 mg/100 g) were the predominant organic acid. These results provide useful information for development starter (single and complex) as well as for the production of high quality fermented soybean foods.

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary sodium intake and prevalence of abdominal obesity in Korean adults. We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V-1 and analyzed data on 4,475 Koreans ( years old). Subjects were divided into three groups according to fasting plasma glucose (FPG): 1) normal (FPG <100 mg/dL), 2) pre-diabetes (), and 3) diabetes (FPG or subjects diagnosed with diabetes). The subjects in each category were stratified by dietary sodium intake as well as index of abdominal obesity. We found that dietary sodium intake was positively correlated with waist circumference (WC) (P

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between depressed mood and life style patterns, including smoking, alcohol drinking, and physical inactivity in Koreans aged 40 years, which is a critical life transition period. Based on the Life Transition Period Health Examination at the Korea Association of Health Promotion conducted in 2011 (n

This study was designed to establish the shelf-life of sea tangle drink. Quality changes, including pH, total acidity, color, sensory evaluation, total aerobic bacteria, and coliform, were measured periodically in sea tangle drink kept at 15, 25, and for 8 months. The pH level and total acidity did not remarkably change during the storage period regardless of storage temperature. In terms of color, lightness did not change during the storage period, whereas redness decreased. Yellowness did not change at during the storage period, although it increased at 25 and at 8 months. Color difference () value was the lowest at (12.14), followed by (12.57) and (14.43). During the storage period, total aerobic bacteria and coliform were not detected. There were no changes in appearance, smell, taste, texture, and overall acceptability of sea tangle drink (not exceeding 3 points) throughout the entire storage period. By using correlation coefficients, color value was selected as an indicating parameter for the shelf-life establishment of sea tangle drink. Based on the forecasted distribution day by annual temperature, the shelf-life of sea tangle drink based on color with the highest correlation coefficient was predicted as 27.10 months.